Driving Efficiency and Sustainability: Todd Davis on the Power of Intermodal Transportation
At STG Logistics, we believe smart logistics decisions should deliver value on multiple fronts — lowering costs, improving efficiency, and helping our customers meet sustainability goals. In the latest Inbound Logistics feature, Todd Davis, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at STG Logistics, shared insights on how intermodal transportation achieves exactly that balance.
Cost Savings that Move the Needle
As Davis explained in Inbound Logistics, “Compared to over-the-road trucking options, intermodal tends to be less expensive by between about 8 – 18 %.”
That efficiency comes from leveraging the best of both modes — rail for the long-haul and trucks for flexible first- and last-mile moves. The result: lower linehaul costs, reduced exposure to fuel price volatility, and a more resilient transportation strategy. For shippers looking to optimize their spend across hundreds or thousands of long-haul lanes, those percentage-point savings translate into real bottom-line impact.
Sustainability That Scales
Davis also underscored intermodal’s environmental advantage, noting that “by shifting from over the road to intermodal, shippers typically can cut carbon emissions by about 75 % while also reducing fuel consumption and highway congestion.”
At a time when companies are setting aggressive ESG targets and measuring Scope 3 emissions, these are game-changing numbers. Each intermodal conversion helps take trucks off the road, conserve fuel, and move freight more sustainably — without sacrificing service reliability or cost efficiency.
STG Logistics has invested heavily in building intermodal solutions that make this transition seamless. By combining rail partnerships, drayage expertise, and digital visibility tools, we make sustainability an operational advantage, not an afterthought.
The Untapped Opportunity
The Inbound Logistics article highlights another key insight from Davis: “Industry estimates show that about 10 million over-the-road shipments each year meet the criteria for intermodal, as they’re typically 750 miles or longer.”
That represents a significant opportunity for shippers to rethink mode selection. Many companies are still moving freight long distances entirely by truck — paying more and emitting more than necessary. By analyzing their lane profiles and converting qualifying freight to intermodal, shippers can unlock both savings and sustainability benefits at scale.
The STG Advantage
STG Logistics’ integrated intermodal network combines nationwide coverage, extensive port-to-door service, and data-driven optimization. We help customers identify where intermodal fits best, manage execution end-to-end, and measure both financial and environmental performance.
As Davis’s comments make clear, intermodal is more than a mode shift — it’s a strategic transformation in how freight moves. STG Logistics is proud to lead that transformation by making intermodal accessible, efficient, and sustainable for every shipper.
Source: Todd Davis, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, STG Logistics, quoted in Inbound Logistics, “INTERMODAL: A SMART WAY TO SHIP (AND SAVE),” October 2025, p. 27 & 30. Inbound Logistics Magazine
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